IF Jermain Defoe wasn’t sure what to expect from life in Scottish football, the first few weeks of his Rangers career have given him a crash course.

The goals – on his debut against Kilmarnock, his home bow in the win over St Mirren and on that memorable night at Pittodrie – are the personal highlights for the 36-year-old. They only tell part of the story, though.

There have been two plastic pitches and a frozen one, penalty controversies and red card dramas as points have been won and lost, and that is before you start with the myriad of off-field headlines.

Defoe has taken it all in his stride, though. This is what he signed up for when he made the loan move from Bournemouth and the former England striker has embraced the unique world of football north of the border under the guidance of boss Steven Gerrard.

“It’s been interesting, it’s not been easy, to be honest,” Defoe said. “You can’t think ‘I’ve played in the Premier League, I’m coming to Scotland and it’s going to be easy.’ You still have to approach it like you always have done.

“I’m just taking it all in; the plastic pitches, away from home, the different games, how teams play. I’m still getting used to it. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve managed to nick a few goals.

“For me the most important thing is to be successful. To come here and at the end of the season if we can achieve something special as a group, that’s probably the most important thing.

“For me it’s about the team. Let’s be honest, if I come here and score 30 goals but we don’t win anything then everyone will turn round and say ‘Well, you’re going to score goals, there’s no point scoring goals and not achieving anything.’

“So, if we can as a group achieve something pleasing I think that would be pleasing for everyone.”

If Rangers are to realise their collective ambitions, Defoe will have a significant personal part to play in the coming weeks. On and off the park, his role could be crucial.

There have been times when Gerrard’s side have failed to get the best out of the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur star and struggled to adapt to Defoe’s style compared to talisman Alfredo Morelos.

Defoe watched on from the bench on Wednesday night as Morelos fired Rangers to victory over Kilmarnock but he will be back through the middle against Hamilton Accies tomorrow.

“Obviously, the game’s going to be different,” Defoe said. “I feel like every team you play against you’re going to get the best version of every player.

“At the end of the day, you look at the size of this football and no disrespect to the smaller teams — but I can imagine a lot of those players would love to play for Rangers.

“I think that’s what they would say if you asked them an honest question. So, you’re getting the best version of every player.

“And I think at times, especially when you go away from home, if they can stop you from playing first, disrupt the game, slow it down, stop you from playing, then I can imagine the teams would be happy with that.

“Whereas, maybe in the Premier League both teams would be looking to play and win the game.

“When I went to Toronto, I signed for the club and there was a big thing going on, it was the same. Every team just wanted to stop us from playing.

“Everyone had said we were going to go on and win the league. But that’s normal. When you play for a big club that’s normal.”

When Defoe was considering his options during the January transfer window, there were far easier roads he could have headed down rather than making the switch to Rangers.

He has been thrust into the centre of a title battle, while the desire to lift the Scottish Cup continues to drive the Ibrox squad.

The chance to work with former England team-mate Gerrard was the main factor behind Defoe’s choice. It is a new experience for the striker, but one that will inspire him in the here and now and the future.

“Steven was always angry when he stepped out onto the pitch - but always calm in the dressing room,” Defoe said. “But that was just his game: really aggressive passing, explosive running and tackles.

“When you look at the modern game and what you want your midfielder to do and Glen Kamara did that against Kilmarnock by dictating every aspect of the game.

“Steven was calm and cool but when something needed to be said then he would say it.

“Of course it’s going to be different because he’s an ex-team-mate. But, at the same time you get on with it.

“But I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been good, it’s been interesting, seeing the manager and his approach to it all.

“Especially at this stage of my career, as you get older you might want to do your coaching badges and become a coach or a manager. when you see your ex-team-mates, Steven and Frank Lampard for example, going on to become managers it’s nice to see.

“Yes, at some point I’ll do my badges so you’ve got them if you need them. But I love football, football’s given so much to me.

“I’ve always said if you want it, take your badges and one day you might want to give something back and still be in the game, the game that you love.”